Shigeru Ishiba is poised to become Japan's next prime minister as he prepares to unveil his cabinet and gear up for the upcoming election on October 27. The 67-year-old former defense minister emerged victorious in a closely contested leadership race within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party last week.
The parliamentary vote to officially designate Ishiba as prime minister is scheduled for Monday, with the Emperor expected to formally appoint him on Tuesday. Ishiba is also set to announce his cabinet lineup and hold a press conference later in the day.
Despite facing challenges in previous leadership bids, Ishiba is already assembling his team of government and party officials for the upcoming election. Key appointments include Katsunobu Kato as finance minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi as chief cabinet secretary, Takeshi Iwaya as foreign minister, and Gen Nakatani as defense minister.
However, Ishiba's victory over hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi could potentially create internal tensions within the ruling party, which has been plagued by scandals affecting its public support.
Analysis: Shigeru Ishiba's impending premiership marks a significant shift in Japan's political landscape. His leadership and cabinet appointments will play a crucial role in steering the country through domestic and international challenges. Investors and market watchers should closely monitor Ishiba's policy agenda and its impact on the economy, as well as the overall stability of Japan's government.